​Southwest Florida high school football previews and predictions for Week 8 games being played Thursday, Oct. 8 and Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.All games at 7:30 unless noted.THURSDAYDunbar (4-2) at Mariner (2-3)What to watch for — Dunbar: This is a Class 4A-District 11 game. The Tigers defeated Lehigh 52-6 last week. The team built a 36-0 halftime lead over the Lightning. Senior running back Eddie Gore rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns on just four carries. Gore has scored six touchdowns in his last three games and rushed for nearly 400 yards while senior Fred Jackson leads the team with 12 touchdowns. Dunbar has won their last seven games against Mariner. Mariner: The Tritons lost 42-21 to Ida Baker last week. Mariner didn’t have an answer for the Bulldogs ground game, giving up 473 rushing yards in the loss. Senior Wenstan Penermon went for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries for the Tritons, while senior Alijah Touchstone threw a touchdown pass to senior Jamarion Corbett. Penermon is averaging 8.7 yards per carry for the team so far this season.The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Dunbar 36, Mariner 10Immokalee (5-1) at East Lee County (0-5)What to watch for — Immokalee: The Indians are coming off a 48-0 win against Palmetto Ridge. Junior running back Youvesnley Methelus went for 120 yards and two scores while senior Kendrick Perry reeled in a pair of touchdown passes from junior quarterback Jayden Cowgill. The team had multiple takeaways in the win, including a James Michel fumble recovery for a touchdown. Immokalee defeated East Lee 30-12 last time they played in 2012. East Lee County: The Jaguars loss 44-20 to LaBelle last week. East got in the end zone three times on rushing scores from seniors Damein Forchue, Deldrick Clervil and Shariyf Robinson. The team surrendered four rushing touchdowns to the Cowboys and turned the ball over three times. The Jaguars are still seeking their first win of the season.The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Immokalee 40, East Lee County 6GAME OF THE WEEKNaples (3-3) at Gulf Coast (4-2)What to watch for — Naples: This is a key Class 4A-District 12 clash in which both teams are 2-0 in the district. The Golden Eagles are coming out of a bye week. Last time out, they defeated Estero 14-7. The team rushed for more than 300 yards with JJ Exantus and Devin Dunford cashing in with touchdowns. The defense came up with three interceptions in the win. Naples has never lost to Gulf Coast in 22 meetings, outscoring the Sharks 938-171. Gulf Coast: The Sharks were on bye last week. Last time out, they defeated Barron Collier 50-27 in a district matchup. Senior running back Gio Marenco rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns, and junior quarterback Wyatt Raymer threw a pair of touchdown passes to junior Jack Crifasi in the win. The Sharks are averaging 37 points a game, and Marenco is one of the state leaders in rushing yards with 184 carries for 1,364 yards and 18 touchdowns.The News-Press/Naples Da